The Iraqi National Dialogue Council headed by Sheikh Khalaf al-Alian released a statement and while condemning Ashraf siege intensification, urged for lifting the siege and guarantee Ashraf residents’ rights based of the April 24 European Parliament resolution.

The Statement reads: ” Despite all calls by the National Dialogue Council and some other nationalist forces regarding necessity of well treating Ashraf residents who are Iraq’s guests and more important protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention, and despite that the PMOI is an opposition organization that has been removed from the terrorist list and the European Parliament has urged on April 24the Iraqi government to end Camp Ashraf siege and have a humanitarian behavior with its residents , we witness that despite all previous efforts for solving the problems through friendly ways and conciliation with that Ashraf residents for guarantee of their rights and commitment to international laws and transitions, on Thursday , May 28, 2009the police force has intensified Ashraf siege .

Therefore, once again we ask for the positive response of the Iraqi government to the Iraqi nation regarding respect for guests and implementation of the international community demand. We also urge the government to use this file in favor of Iraq and to protect the city’s residents and to lift their siege and not impose pressure and limitation against them; particularly that they have had a good cooperation with responsible forces in charge of protection of the camp.